PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a lightweight MMA rules bout between Lucas Cabrera (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and Marvin Zerkle (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class). Lucas Cabrera has the better chin. Will he look to stand and bang today?

Cabrera
vs
Zerkle

174 cm
25
154 lbs
5 - 4 - 1

180 cm
29
161 lbs
7 - 9 - 0

Good wrestling
Excellent boxer
Insanely flexible

Good wrestler
Great elbows
Heavy handed

Ladies and gentlemen. This fight is 3 rounds, in the lightweight division.
Introducing the fighter to my left, fighting out of the red corner.
With a record of 5 - 4 - 1, fighting out of Amsterdam, Lucas Cabrera!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 7 - 9 - 0, fighting out of Las Vegas, Marvin Zerkle!
The judges for this bout are William Gold, Steven Brown and Andrew Berry.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Zerkle blocks a jab.
Zerkle misses with a jab, cross combination.
Zerkle fails with an attempt to clinch.
Cabrera fakes low and throws an overhand right that catches Zerkle on the side of the head.

Zerkle takes the fight into the clinch.
Cabrera blocks a couple of punches on the inside.
Zerkle lands a hook that snaps the head of Cabrera backwards.
Cabrera blocks a couple of punches on the inside.
Cabrera on the defensive, avoiding the knees to the body.
Zerkle gets through Cabrera's defenses to land a nice punch to the side of the head.
Zerkle tries to land a knee to the body but he is off balance and Cabrera avoids it.
Cabrera avoids a wild elbow strike from Zerkle.
Zerkle throws a punch but it's blocked by Cabrera.
Cabrera tries to work over Zerkle's body with a swooping hook but it only glances the target.
Cabrera lands a nice shot to the body.
Zerkle throws an elbow but it misses.
Zerkle letting Cabrera take a breather here.
Cabrera lands a hook to the side of the head.
The fans in attendance giving it up for the two fighters, who have really let it all hang out in the last minute or so!
Zerkle creates a bit of distance and throws an elbow that only just misses.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Zerkle lands a right hand.
Zerkle blocks a body shot from Cabrera.
Zerkle throws a nice elbow but it doesn't land.
A short right hand to the side of the head by Cabrera.
Zerkle is looking to score with knees to the body. Maybe he'll change it up and go body then head. Cabrera is defending well for now.
Zerkle misses with a hook from the clinch.
Zerkle lands a shoulder strike.
Cabrera misses with a hook from the clinch.
Cabrera blocks a couple of punches on the inside.
Zerkle tries a shoulder strike but it doesn't do any damage.
Cabrera dodges an elbow strike from Zerkle.
Cabrera stalling in the clinch but Zerkle improves position.
Cabrera lands a shoulder strike that jolts his opponent's head backwards.
Zerkle has been looking to improve his clinch game in recent weeks. Cabrera seems to have the measure of him in the clinch so far, so let's see if Zerkle can turn it around.
Zerkle throws a punch but it's blocked by Cabrera.
Cabrera takes a shot to the head.
A short right hand to the side of the head by Cabrera.
Zerkle blocks a punch to the side of the head.
Cabrera working some nice short punches in the clinch.
The crowd cheering loudly, showing their appreciation for the quality fight we're seeing here.
Still in the clinch, Cabrera scores with a nice short uppercut.
Still in the clinch, Zerkle scores with a nice short uppercut.
Cabrera scores with a shot to the side of Zerkle's head.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Cabrera lands a body punch in the clinch.
The referee is keeping an eye on Cabrera - much more stalling and he will separate the fighters.
Cabrera scores with a nice hook to the head.
Cabrera scores with an uppercut up the middle.
Zerkle has a couple of punches blocked by Cabrera.
A nice left hand lands by Cabrera.
Cabrera wants to take the fight to the mat but Zerkle manages to get underhooks and keep the fight in the clinch.
Cabrera dictating the pace here, as the fighters clinch against the cage.
Cabrera blocks an uppercut.
Cabrera swings wildly with an uppercut but Zerkle uses good head movement to avoid it.
Cabrera definitely looks more muscular than last time we saw him fight.
Cabrera lands with a right to the head.
A short right from Cabrera on the inside.

Zerkle is rocked!
Zerkle misses with a punch on the inside.
Zerkle is still on wobbly legs! Can Cabrera finish him?
Zerkle working aggressively here.
Zerkle landing some nice looking knees to the body.
Zerkle pushes Cabrera back against the cage and lands a hook to the side of the head.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
A short right hand to the side of the head by Zerkle.
Zerkle seems to have recovered his senses.
Cabrera avoids the elbow strike from Zerkle, against the cage.
Zerkle creates a bit of distance and throws an elbow that only just misses.
Zerkle lands on the inside with an uppercut.
Nice elbow from Zerkle.
A nice left hand lands by Cabrera.
Zerkle lands a damaging elbow.
Zerkle being controlled against the cage.
Cabrera misses with the head strike.
Zerkle throws a head punch that misses.
A short uppercut from Cabrera.
Cabrera lands a shoulder strike.
Cabrera works on Zerkle's body with a couple of short punches.
Cabrera lands with a light punch inside.
This is a great period of action - very entertaining stuff!
Cabrera on the defensive, avoiding the knees to the body.
Cabrera stalling in the clinch.

Cabrera gets a trip takedown into half guard.
Zerkle gets full guard.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Cabrera forces his way into half guard.
Cabrera winds up and cracks Zerkle with a swinging punch to the side of the head.
The ref warns both fighters not to hold the cage as they work up against the meshing.
Zerkle regains full guard. Nicely done.
Cabrera passes easily into side control. Nice work.
Zerkle taking punishment in the form of punches.
The crowd applaud the fighters' efforts here as the round comes to an end.
Cabrera throwing shots but missing, from side control.
Zerkle is trying to control Cabrera's posture but Cabrera avoids it.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

That was a close round but I would say that Lucas Cabrera will probably get the nod.
The fighters get back to their feet, the hooter sounds and we're back to the action!

Cabrera lands with a good body shot.
Zerkle takes a shot to the body in his stride.
A head kick by Cabrera misses

and Zerkle holds on and brings the fighters into a clinch.
Zerkle throws an elbow that misses.
Zerkle lands an uppercut.
Zerkle scores with a nice hook to the head.
Zerkle lands an elbow just above Cabrera 's eye.
Cabrera trying to stall but Zerkle improves his position.
Cabrera lands a shoulder strike that jolts his opponent's head backwards.
Zerkle pushes off an throws an elbow but Cabrera leans to the side and avoids it. We're back to clinching against the cage.
Cabrera blocks an elbow strike.
Zerkle misses with an elbow strike.
Cabrera managing to block the knees to the body from Zerkle.
Cabrera swings away with an uppercut that misses.
Cabrera blocks the elbow strike.
Cabrera scores with a hook to the body.
This has been an exciting period of action!
Cabrera lands with a short shot to the head.
Cabrera tries to work over Zerkle's body with a swooping hook but it only glances the target.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Zerkle misses with some punches.
Marvin Zerkle seems to be working more effectively in the clinch in the fight so far.
Zerkle throws an elbow but it misses.
Cabrera looking to slow down the pace here.
Cabrera effectively controlling the action here.
Cabrera avoiding damage as Zerkle throws knees to the body.
Zerkle goes for a body shot but it's blocked.
Zerkle misses with a hook from the clinch.
Zerkle misses with a hook from the clinch.
Cabrera on the defensive, avoiding the knees to the body.
Zerkle tries a shoulder strike but it doesn't do any damage.

Cabrera pushes off and circles away, back to the middle of the mat.
Zerkle takes a swing at Cabrera's ribcage but misses.
Cabrera half commits to a counter takedown before pushing away, out of range.
Cabrera connects with a leg kick. Zerkle looked like he was expecting something else and didn't defend it.

Zerkle moves into the clinch.
Zerkle pushes off and fires off an elbow that misses, before clinching up again, against the cage.
Zerkle scores with a nice hook to the head.
Cabrera lands with a short head shot on the inside.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Cabrera scores with a hook to the body.
Zerkle tries to land knees in the clinch but Cabrera avoids the damage to the body.
Cabrera doesn't land with the attempted body shot.
Come on Cabrera - let's have some action - none of this stalling nonsense.
Cabrera working aggressively here.
Cabrera throws a punch but it's blocked by Zerkle.
Cabrera is trying to slow down the pace of the fight but Zerkle is keeping busy.
Zerkle is working hard here but doesn't seem to be able to control effectively, up against the cage.
Cabrera blocks a couple of punches on the inside.
Fantastic stuff here - a very entertaining period of action, which has drawn cheers from the crowd.
Zerkle lands on the inside with an uppercut.
Cabrera lands with a short punch from the clinch.
Zerkle comes over the top with an elbow. That landed flush.
Cabrera pushes Zerkle back against the cage and unloads with a body punch.
Cabrera avoids a wild elbow strike from Zerkle.

Cabrera manages to break the clinch.
Cabrera throws a nice inside leg kick.
Cabrera scores with a jab.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Zerkle stumbles momentarily as he takes a strong leg kick from Cabrera.
Cabrera throws a leg kick but Zerkle sees it coming and moves out of range.
Cabrera lands a leg kick. The shin dug right into the meat of the thigh.
Cabrera turns his hip over beautifully as he lands a nice leg kick.
Cabrera throws a leg kick that misses.
Zerkle tries to clinch up.
Zerkle throws out a token jab with nothing on it.
Cabrera looks to land a body kick but Zerkle moved away.
Zerkle tries to counter with a clinch but Cabrera shakes him off and moves away.
Zerkle blocks a head kick by Cabrera.
Zerkle moves in looking to clinch but Cabrera pushes him off.
Zerkle jabs Cabrera right on the nose. Cabrera blinks but takes it well.
Cabrera scores with a sloppy right hand. Zerkle should have avoided that one.
Cabrera's corner calls for a 1-2. Cabrera obliges with the 1 part as he scores the single shot and moves back out of range.
Zerkle lands an overhand left. A wild punch that just about connected.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Cabrera buckles his opponent's knee momentarily with a nice leg kick.
Lucas Cabrera seems to be the more aggressive standup fighter in this bout.
Zerkle takes a thudding leg kick, right into the meat of the thigh.
This is a great period of action - very entertaining stuff!
Zerkle stumbles momentarily as he takes a strong leg kick from Cabrera.
Cabrera fakes the leg kick and cracks Zerkle in the body.
Cabrera feints and then cracks Zerkle's leading leg with a nice low kick. He's obviously looking to slow Zerkle down.
Cabrera connects with a body shot that sends Zerkle's belly button to the back.
Cabrera takes one on the chin but seems OK.
Zerkle tries to close the distance and clinch up against the cage but Cabrera paws at him with a jab and circles away.
Zerkle keeping a good distance there, avoiding the body shot.

Zerkle moves into the clinch.

Cabrera breaks the clinch.
Cabrera misses with a body kick.
A solid body kick from Cabrera.
Zerkle fails in his attempt to clinch.
Zerkle's leg has a nasty welt from taking a succession of leg kicks. That must be slowing him down.

Zerkle forces Cabrera back against the cage and clinches.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Lucas Cabrera dominated that second round.
That's the end of the interval. I'm sure that seemed a lot quicker than a minute for our two fighters! Back to the action. Let's get this one finished - here comes the final round!

A jab lands there for Cabrera.
Zerkle tries to clinch up against the cage, rushing in to close the distance. Cabrera manages to break the clinch and circles back to the middle of the mat.

Zerkle closes the distance and pushes Cabrera back into the cage.
A quick uppercut on the inside from Cabrera.
Cabrera lands punches inside but they're not really causing much damage.
Cabrera lands a body punch in the clinch.
An uppercut on the inside fails to land for Zerkle.
Zerkle has a couple of punches blocked by Cabrera.
Cabrera avoiding damage as Zerkle throws knees to the body.
Cabrera lands a hook that snaps the head of Zerkle backwards.
Zerkle throws a punch but it's blocked by Cabrera.
Zerkle lands a knee to the body.
Zerkle swings away with an uppercut that misses.

Cabrera lands a nice trip takedown into half guard.
This has been an exciting period of action!
Cabrera wants to free his trapped foot but Zerkle is holding on for dear life with his legs.

Cabrera seems to be working for a kimura but Zerkle defends the submission attempt.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Zerkle has hold of Cabrera's hands but Cabrera slips his arm to the side and lands an elbow.
Zerkle is looking to improve his position.
Zerkle trying to control here.
Cabrera seems very keen to just sit and control from half guard but Zerkle does not like that idea so much and is remaining active off his back.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
The crowd are showing their displeasure at the lack of action as loud boos ring out around the arena.
Cabrera is thwarting Zerkle's attempts to control the position.
Zerkle gets full guard.
Cabrera trying to pass the guard but can't manage it just yet.
Zerkle wants to control but Cabrera passes easily into half guard.
Zerkle makes his way to full guard. A much better position for Zerkle.
Zerkle is trying to keep Cabrera in close.
Cabrera scoring with some ground and pound.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Zerkle looking to hit a scissor sweep but Cabrera is one step ahead there.
Marvin Zerkle has stepped it up - he knows he needs a finish here!
Cabrera landing with the ground and pound.
Cabrera stands up and looks to throw the legs aside to pass to side control. Zerkle swivels though and keeps the full guard.
Zerkle looking for a sweep. Not yet Zerkle, not yet.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
The crowd are hurling abuse towards the fighters... You can hardly blame them though because there isn't a lot going on in the fight.
Cabrera chips away with some ground and pound.
Cabrera postures up and scores with a shot to the body and a follow up elbow to the head.
Cabrera is pushing down on Zerkle's leg trying to pass to half guard. Zerkle is fighting to maintain full guard but Cabrera has managed to sneak the leg through.
Cabrera not landing any meaningful shots this time.
Cabrera wants to advance to full mount but Zerkle doesn't think that's going to happen and regains full guard instead.
Cabrera has to be careful here, sitting in the guard of a superior BJJ player.
Cabrera wants to pass the guard but Zerkle is keeping the position.
The crowd thankful this round is nearly over.
Zerkle trying to control the position.

And that's the end of the fight!
Lucas Cabrera showed his dominance in that final round.
Well I reckon that's a shut out for Cabrera, winning every round. Will the judges agree? They are the ones who matter, even if they are often depressingly incompetent. Over to the ring announcer for the scorecards.

Ladies and gentlemen, after 3 rounds of action, we go to the scorecards for a decision.
Judge William Gold scores the fight 29:28
Judge Steven Brown scores the fight 30:27
Judge Andrew Berry scores the fight 30:27

In favor of your winner, by unanimous decision... Lucas Cabrera!
Lucas Cabrera decided to hype himself up post fight. It was going well but he went on about it a bit too long and the crowd turned on him a little.